WEST CALDWELL, NJ - Elected officials, members of local chambers of commerce, the League of Women Voters of the Montclair area, and residents of all towns in Essex County came together on Saturday morning at Crane's Mill in West Caldwell for the 5th Annual Meet the Mayors event. Barry Ostrowsky, President and CEO of Barnabas Health, was the keynote speaker and addressed the state of healthcare, the health care industry, and spoke about his vision for healthcare in the future. Barnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest integrated healthcare delivery system, annually providing treatment and services for more than two million patients, while employing over 20,000 people.

Ostrowsky joined Saint Barnabas Medical Center in 1991 as Executive Vice President and General Counsel. He served in the same role at Barnabas Health when the System was created in 1996. He assumed the title of President and Chief Operating Office in 2010 and his present title in January 2012.

Ostrowsky said, "Healthcare is at an interesting time." While noting that from a provider's viewpoint the healthcare act has been flawed, he said, "the principles will dominate healthcare going forward."

Ostrowsky discussed the current state of healthcare noting that the "fee for service" model is "unaffordable" and will "cripple" the healthcare system. He said we are moving toward "healthcare financed based on value...it's no longer going to be a healthcare delivery system based on people getting sick." "We need to take an interest in people's lives before they get sick....we're no longer going to concentrate on sickness care," Ostrowsky said.

He added that Barnbas Health and other healthcare providers "will explain how we can help you avert illness." Ostrowsky noted, "if we don't concentrate on keeping people healthy we won't have the resources to help everyone who gets sick."

Livingston Mayor Michael Silverman said, "Meet the Mayors is a wonderful event as all the local communities come together and get to meet and review what is going on in Essex County."

Mayor John Duthie of Roseland added, "It is great to mingle with the folks that are part of the community and meet with my peers and colleagues and address the issues of importance to all of us."

Government Affairs Committee Chair Denny Klein of Rand, Feuer & Klein, LLC, told TAPinto.net, "Once again we are thrilled to come together in Essex County with community leadership and business leadership to become better informed and involved. Events like this are what make Essex County great."

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Thirty-six passengers on a bus returning from an annual mayor’s picnic on Saturday were taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries after an accident on the New Jersey Turnpike, according to officials.

Mayor Ras Baraka's fourth annual family reunion picnic event was held at Black Bear Lake Country Club in Millstone. Around 5:30 p.m., a bus leaving the event ...

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Thirty-six passengers on a bus returning from an annual mayor’s picnic on ...

FLORHAM PARK, NJ — This fall, the Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter (AAGNJ) will launch five Walk To End Alzheimer’s events throughout the Garden State. Thousands of New Jerseyans will join in this venture who walk in memory of their mothers, fathers, grandparents, and loved ones—more than 2,300 lost last year alone—from Alzheimer’s Disease, the sixth-leading cause of death in ...

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The Livingston Public Library recently announced that it has added "AtoZ World Travel" to its online reference offerings, just in time for the final weeks of summer vacation.

According to the library, this new resource includes 202 world city travel guides covering 67 topics each. The guides cover topics that are necessary for individuals planning international or domestic ...

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The Livingston Public Library recently announced that it has added "AtoZ World ...

EDITOR'S NOTE: The date has been changed to Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. due to weather conditions. Activities listed in the article below will remain the same.

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Those with children entering Pre-K or Kindergarten for the 2018-2019 school year who are thinking about day camp options for next summer are invited to attend “Rookie Day” at Meadowbrook Country Day Camp, on ...

EDITOR'S NOTE: The date has been changed to Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. due to weather ...

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Fourth Generation Eagle Scout Arun Gupta was honored during the Livingston Township Council meeting on Monday for the achievements that earned him the Eagle Scout title.

Gupta, a sophomore who brought with him a laundry list of achievements, was accompanied by Vincent Krause, Committee Chairman of BSA Troop 16, as Mayor Edward Meinhardt presented him with a certificate of ...

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Livingston area residents are mourning the loss of Isabella Brodsky, 17, and Matthew Poole, 18, two rising Livingston High School seniors who died on Tuesday night after swimming in Ramapo Lake in Oakland with their friends.

“On behalf of the town council, the town employees and all of the residents, we express our heartfelt condolences to both families of the victims of this ...

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Livingston area residents are mourning the loss of Isabella Brodsky, 17, and ...

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The Livingston Board of Education (LBOE) has announced that it intends to approve the hiring of Jim O’Neill as interim superintendent of Livingston Public Schools for the 2018-2019 school year following the recent departure of Christina Steffner, whose resignation became effective on July 31.

Members of the board will take an official vote on O’Neill’s appointment will be made ...

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The Livingston Board of Education (LBOE) has announced that it intends to approve ...

LIVINGSTON, NJ — A challenge made by Aptive Environmental LLC, a pest control service, prompted Livingston Township Attorney Sharon Weiner to add new language to Livingston’s Peddling and Soliciting Ordinance in order to remain compliant. The ordinance was adopted unanimously on Monday and also includes the addition of a “Do Not Solicit” list.

The peddling and soliciting ordinance surfaced due ...

LIVINGSTON, NJ — A challenge made by Aptive Environmental LLC, a pest control service, prompted ...